Early in the Saturday session, Regency-Superior will offer a used example of one of the most highly prized U.S. stamps, the 1851 1¢ blue Benjamin Franklin stamp type I, the position 7R1E stamp (Scott 5).

In the auction catalog listing, Regency-Superior describes the stamp as an “Outstanding example of one of the most difficult 19th century U.S. stamps, with only a handful of sound, essentially 4-margin stamps known.”

The stamp has margins “large to just grazing lower right,” and it is lightly struck by the cancel.

Of the original five 200-subject plates used to print the 1¢ blue, only the stamp printed at position 7 on the right pane of the early state of plate I (7R1E) shows the most complete original die design.

The example in this sale is accompanied by a 2014 certificate from Professional Stamp Experts, and is listed by Regency-Superior with an estimate of $55,000.

The auction offers another scarce variety of the 1¢ blue, an unused type 1a (Scott 6), one of 10 or so original gum singles known, according to Regency-Superior.

Though this example has small corner creases at top and disturbed gum, it also boasts margins clear of the design. With a 2015 PSE certificate, it is featured with a $45,000 estimate.

Collectors will also find a selection of U.S. plate blocks and full sheets on offer, with a couple of unusual modern varieties among them.

The 1975 13¢ Eagle and Shield stamp with line perforations (Scott 1596d) is offered in a full mint never-hinged pane of 100 with an estimate of $1,500.

It’s followed by a full mint never-hinged pane of 40 of the 1993 29¢ Hank Williams stamp with gauge 11.2 by 11.5 perforations (Scott 2723A), listed by Regency-Superior with a $400 estimate.

The auction also includes U.S. revenue stamps, essays and proofs, Confederate States stamps and other back-of-the-book material.

The worldwide selection begins with Great Britain and British Commonwealth classics, and includes material from around the globe.

From Korea comes a substantial number of imperforate souvenir sheets from the 1950s with a nice range of appealing topical subjects.